I thrash around, throwing my arms behind my back trying to do anything to scratch the unknown body on top of me. My legs flail around, coming in contact with flesh that never even flinch at the hardest of kicks.
Then it moved. It had been still up until now, letting me try to attack as its body held mine in place against the cool, damp grass. It doesn't get off of me, but it fidgets until it feels like its grasp on me is lighter—or as if it is lighter.
"Amicia."
I froze.
"Amicia."
"BLASIUS?!" I yelled in a whispered tone.
The body on top of me, now identified as Blasius, stands up. I rolled over and looked up at him, leaning back and resting my hands in the dirt to see his face clearer. His arms were crossed and he had an unreadable expression on his face. Although if I had to guess, I'd imagine he felt disappointed or betrayed. I couldn't stand to continue looking at him so I just looked down at the ground.
"My family is in trouble," I revealed, "at the castle. I've been getting letters about them, I was scared. I'm going to save them."
"Why didn't you let anyone know?"
"I didn't want anyone caught up in my mess! I want you guys to be safe, even if I'm not." My voice cracked mid-sentence as I hear Blasius huff from above.
"Amicia, wherever you go, I go. Trouble or not." His shadow disappeared as he bent down to your height. With one large hand placed under your chin, he brings it up so your eyes meet his. "Mates, remember?"
You just nod in response, biting your lip.
"Now let's think about this. Are you sure they are there? Why don't we check your old house first," Blasius suggested, "in case this is all a trap."
"I ... never thought of that."
"I'm sorry if it hurt you, jumping on you like that. I didn't want you to get away," Blasius spoke as we began walking to my parents' house. "When I noticed you were gone, I didn't know how far you went already. I shifted to my wolf form and ran to find you, but I didn't have a choice when you heard me coming up behind you."
I shrugged him off. Besides the initial pain and shock, I felt completely fine. I didn't want him feeling bad for nothing.
❦❦❦
It didn't take long at all to make it to my parents' house. I hadn't even realized how close it was to an Elven village. I was never taught about other races when I was younger, it was somewhat of a forbidden topic for humans. Especially ones in support of the King.
When we arrived, I wrapped lightly on the wooden door. It creaked as I did so, a sign of the old, water-damaged wood it had been built with.
Waiting for movement within the house felt like it took a lifetime. My ears were perked, but all I could hear was the rush of blood throughout my body. Until the sound of another creaking could be heard over the waves of blood circling around my ears. My head instantly jolted up as I came face to face with both of my parents. Their expressions were surprised as they ushered the both of us in the front door, looking up and down the street cautiously.
"Amicia, dear!" My mom hugged me instantly, and my dad followed suite.
"Hello, this is Blasius," I use one of my arms to motion toward him, where he was standing inches behind us. They greeted him politely, my mother even swooping him in for a hug, despite not knowing him. "There's so much I have to tell you both."
When my parents call my siblings from their sleep, I recount everything I've been through for the past few months—I start with arriving at the castle; meeting Silva, Menas, and Blasius; trying to escape and failing; escaping for real; all the way up to our current events.
"Why don't we take them with us? That way you can keep an eye on them to prevent further scares," Blasius interjected when I finish my story. I looked at him then back at my parents, gauging their reaction and hoping they agreed to his proposal.
"I wouldn't mind that. It would be great to be reunited with my daughter again. And meet her new friends, too," my dad replied.
"But," my mom interrupted, "I think it would be better if we leave in the morning. You two look tired, and it will give us time to pack our things."
With that settled, my parents return to their bedroom to go back to sleep, leaving Blasius and I to figure out our sleeping arrangements for the night. I would offer my bed to both of us, considering it's the only one left, but it was small and there definitely wouldn't be enough room for us both to fit, especially with how big Blasius was.
"You can have my bed upstairs tonight."
Blasius shook his head, "I wouldn't want to make your sisters uncomfortable. I'll sleep downstairs."
"Are you sure?"
Blasius nodded, making his way over to the living area to sleep on the couch. With a knitted blanket already draped over the back of the sofa and a few throw pillows, he got himself situated so I bid him goodnight with one last smile.
As I got into my own bed upstairs, I could finally relax for once. My family and I were together once again and I knew they were safe after all of those weeks of worrying about them being close to their death. I had spent so much time tossing and turning since I had began receiving those letters that I hadn't even realized how tired I was. With all of that, alongside the journey from the Elven village to here, I was wiped out.
But laying in the bed I had spent the eighteen previous years sleeping in made me not want to sleep. It felt like a dream, like I was truly safe, like none of that bad stuff had ever happened to me. I didn't want it to go away. My eyes couldn't close in fear that once I woke up in the morning it would all melt away, into some wicked reality.
Half an hour goes by and I can barely stand my own thoughts, but I need to sleep if I want to make the journey back with my parents and sisters. So, I decided to seek out comfort in order to ease my racing mind.
I grabbed my pillow and made my way downstairs.
"Amicia?" Blasius called, as he heard he stairs creaking.
"Yes?"
"What are you doing awake?" In the limited light, I could see him propped up on one elbow from the doorway I stood in.
"I-I'd feel better if I could sleep down here. With you," I shyly muttered. I wasn't used to openly talking about my vulnerability, but if he was my friend, my mate, I supposed I should get used to it. He was already someone I felt comforted by, I always had, but I hadn't spoken like this in front of anyone before and it made me feel self-conscious to reveal so much of myself.
I knew he would never judge me for it, though. I were reminded of that as he scooted backwards on the sofa, patting the spot in front of him for me to slide into.
And I did. It was a tight squeeze, as the sofa wasn't too large, but with one heavy arm draped around my side, I knew he wouldn't let me fall.